Book Reviews by Young Adults
RSSBiddeford Book Ninjas
The Ninjas' farewell column features two recommended reads from already popular YA authors (Johnson and Bray) and one from a Polly who's masquerading as a Paul. Actually, Paul E. Watson is a pseudonym for Polly Watson, who, according to her biography on Barnes & Noble, "has worked as a bike messenger, a night baker, a comic book editor, and has toured the U.S. and Europe playing in punk bands." That's all good experience for writing a book that borders on Weird Science. JOHNSON, Maureen. The Last Little Blue Envelope. April 2011. HarperTeen. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-197679-7. Gr 8 Up—Before Ginny Blackstone's Aunt Peg died, she sent her niece some puzzling letters, describing some tasks that the 17-year-old needed to complete in various European destinations. But after Ginny's backpack is stolen, she thinks the letters are gone. Ginny is very wrong. Soon, she starts on a new journey that includes a mysterious boy. This book is filled with old friends and new loves and suspense that will make you want to read on and on! I was attracted to this book by its cover and because I loved 13 Little Blue Envelopes, the first installment in the series. I would recommend this book to middle school students, particularly girls. It was awesome!—Vanessa L., age 12 WATSON, Paul, E. The Robot. July 2011. Tr $16.99. Razorbill. ISBN 978-1-59514-372-3. I thought the story was funny at times with crude, adult humor, but it also had big twists and turns that had me on edge, yet laughing on the inside. It's definitely an original story that, I think, is geared toward kids 14 years old and up. Some of the characters reminded me of boys at my school. I think this book would appeal mostly to boys or to girls who want to find out what some high school guys really think about. I give this book three vacuums up!—Chris L., age 13 Bray, Libba. Beauty Queens. May 2011. Scholastic. Tr. $18.99. ISBN 978-0-439-89597-2. CD $34.99. ISBN 978-0-545-31523-4. Playaway $16.99. ISBN 978-1-61707-443-1. I really liked the humor in this book. Libba Bray is notorious for her funny books, but I really think that this one topped the charts. Her spin on Lord of the Flies was not only much more humorous than the original, but also much, much more fun to read. I really liked the cover. It drew me in because of the play on an army uniform, and I really think that it will draw other girls in too. I also enjoyed reading this book because the plot was somewhat recognizable and it was just so funny. Libba Bray gets props for writing yet another astounding young adult book!—Hilary L., age 17 This article originally appeared in School Library Journal's enewsletter SLJTeen. Subscribe here.
Gr 7-12—High school geek Gabe Messner's parents are going away for the weekend, so after a day of getting thrown in a dumpster, laughed at by a hot girl, watching his parents leave, and playing Halo 3, Gabe and his best friend, Dover Mikelson, sneak into Gabe's dad's basement laboratory. What could they possibly find? A high-tech, cool-looking, remote-controlled vacuum? Actually, no, not even close. What they find is a scantily clad female robot. Even stranger, they discover that she intends to kill Dr. Phil—yes, the TV Dr. Phil.
Gr 7 Up—After their plane crashes on an isolated island in the Caribbean Sea, the contestants in the Miss Teen Dream beauty pageant have to struggle to stay alive and to maintain their chances of winning the title of Miss Teen Dream. Through thick and thin, catfights and baton twirls, the girls band together to face the wilderness of the island—or do they?
